A CLEAR MAJORITY

A few years ago I found myself on an express flight to Quebec during
the last Quebec referendum. It was a 48-hour exercise to save the
nation from imminent collapse. We won by one hundred thousand votes
out of the Quebec millions.

Since that vote Canadians and federal politicians have tried to
pinpoint what exactly constitutes a majority on what can be called
"the most important issue." Surely, most argued, 50 per cent plus one
is not good enough to break up Canada.

What has resulted is the consensus that two out of three votes is
definitely unassailable, given a fair question. On the other hand we
have the Canadian marijuana laws. A recent National Post survey,
conducted for the paper by COMPAS Inc., found that 65 per cent of
those questioned thought that the concept of decriminalizing pot is an
excellent, very good, or good idea.

With numbers like these it is safe to assume that if given a free vote
by the citizens, marijuana would be legal. Furthermore, it would
conform to the special numbers required in the most important issue of
all - the breakup of Canada itself.

On July 31, Ontario's highest court struck down Canada's pot law as it
relates to the possession of marijuana, declaring the law
unconstitutional. It gave the federal government one year to come up
with a new set of laws.

This court decision has given us a great opportunity to show that two
our of three voters really can make a difference in Canada. One thing
is for sure. If two out of three voters constitutes an acceptable
majority for separation, surely it should be enough to bring in new
laws that reflect the fact that Canadians do not want criminal record
for marijuana possession.

Chuck Beyer, Victoria candidate, Canada Marijuana Party